Winter is a special season in Maine’s Kennebec Valley. When the land is blanketed in white, and the lakes, ponds, and waterfalls freeze into a dazzling display, the possibilities for winter trail recreation are boundless from world-class Nordic skiing venues to community trails that offer winter walks, snowshoeing, and fat biking.
There are hundreds of trails throughout the region, a few of which are featured here to get you started planning a winter exploration.
Waterville’s Quarry Road Recreation Area provides outstanding opportunities for winter trail activities including cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and fat biking. Visitors will enjoy 10 km (6 miles) of world-class groomed cross-country ski trails and snowmaking capability on 3 km of trails that assure great conditions all winter.
Operated by Colby College until the 1970s, the area is now run by Friends of Quarry Road, a non-profit volunteer organization, that works collaboratively with the City of Waterville, to develop the 200+ acre property into a premier outdoor recreation area.
Lake George Regional Park, located just a few minutes from Skowhegan in Canaan, offers groomed ski trails on the east side of the Park. The west side provides ungroomed steeper trails perfect for breaking trails and exploring on snowshoes. Many skiers access the east side trails from the Canaan Elementary School or from across the lake via the snowmobile trails. Parking is available at the boat launch on the east side and the operations center on Route 2.
In addition, the bald summit of Jewell Hill has a splendid vista of Lake George and the hills that surround it to the north. The park’s west side offers a series of trails that climb the hill and skirt the shore. These trails are ideal for winter snowshoeing. There is a box at the trailheads with trail maps and recommended loops.
Bond Brook Recreation Area, Augusta
For top wintertime recreation head to the Bond Brook Recreation Area to ski their Nordic trails. Fives miles of trails are dedicated only to cross-country skiers, while those who prefer to fat bike or snowshoe will enjoy other non-skiing trails around the recreation area.
Viles Arboretum Winter Trails, Augusta
In the winter, the trails here are groomed for gently rolling cross-country skiing, while other trails are marked for snowshoeing. The art installations in and among the trees at Viles Arboretum create a bridge between the botanical collections and the natural environment.
Snow Pond Community Trails, Sydney
Set aside Messalonskee Lake, Snow Pond Community Trails provide over 2.3 miles of well-maintained trails of varying lengths for cross-country skiing, snowshoers, and skiers of all ages and abilities. The trails are also ideal for bird-watching and wildlife photography.
Weston Woods and Waters Winter Trail, Madison
Consisting of 300 mostly wooded acres and 2.5 miles of Kennebec River frontage, Nordic skiers and snowshoers can access the trails via Main Street Connector or access the River Trail at the Weston Avenue trailhead.
